My father stands in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
Ethan glances between us, then stands smoothly. “I should get back to work.” He nods to my father as he passes, closing the door quietly behind him.
My father walks to the chair Ethan vacated and sits without invitation.He looks calm, collected. His status as alpha is in every line of his posture.
I brace my hands on the desk. “Why are you here?”
“Zion wants to join headquarters.”
Every muscle in my body goes taut. “What?”
“He’s expressed interest in taking a more active role in pack operations.” My father crosses one leg over the other. “I think it’s a good idea. He needs structure. Responsibility.”
“So, you’re rewarding his years of laziness and disrespect with a position at HQ.” My voice comes out flat, controlled. But my wolf is snarling beneath the surface.
“I’m giving him a department to manage. The Community Outreach Division.” He pauses. “And I plan to transfer Violet to him as his assistant.”
The words detonate in my chest like explosives.
I get to my feet with deliberate slowness. “Absolutely not.”
My father’s eyes narrow. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” I fold my arms, meeting his stare head-on. “Violet stays in my department.”
“That’s not your decision to make.”
“It is when it concerns my team.” My voice drops, going dangerously quiet. “Violet has become indispensable to operations here. She knows our systems, our processes. She’s been trained specifically for this role.” I step around the desk toward him. “If Zion wants someone, I’ll recommend another person. But I need Violet.”
My father’s expression darkens, his alpha aura pressing against mine in warning.
“This is not a negotiation, Darius. It’s my decision.”
“Then you’re interfering in my department.” I walk back to my side of the desk, where I place both hands on the surface as I lean toward him. “If you want to micromanage who works where and move people around without consulting the department heads, then I may as well just leave.” I sit down with deliberate calm and start typing on my laptop. “You’ll have my letter of resignationthis evening.”
“You are not quitting.” The words crack through the air like a whip.
I don’t look up from the screen. “I won’t tolerate having my department controlled. You’ve always had a soft spot for Zion. Fine. But don’t pretend this is about what’s best for the pack.” I finally meet his eyes. “And do you really think Violet will want to work with Zion? After all the horrible comments he made to her at the family dinner?”
My father’s jaw tightens. “She doesn’t have a say in this. She goes where she’s needed.”
The casual dismissal of her autonomy makes my blood boil.
“Is that how it is?” I lean back in my chair, studying him. “So, what Violet said was true. She really is just a tool that anyone can do anything with. No voice. No choice. Just an object to be moved around at your convenience.”
My father purses his lips. The color drains from his face, and for the first time in this conversation, he looks unsettled.
Perfect.
I press forward, keeping my voice level. “I spent three months training Violet. Teaching her everything about how this department operates. I didn’t invest all that time and effort for you to reassign her to Zion just so he has someone to fetch his coffee and stroke his ego.”
I straighten some papers on my desk without looking at them. “If Violet is removed from my department, I will resign. Effective immediately.”
The silence that follows is heavy, oppressive. Father tries to stare me down, but I hold firm, meeting his challenge with my own.
Finally, he exhales. The sound is heavy, tired. “Fine.” He stands, adjusting his suit jacket. “She stays with you.”
Victory surges through me, but I keep my expression calm. “Good.”
